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About

Hi! In October 2010, I moved from San Francisco to Manhattan with my husband, daughter, and twin boys. Since then I've been busy teaching myself and my kids how to hail a cab, fly a kite in Central Park, and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge with style. And a few other things. I write about those other things here. Thanks for stopping by!
Email questions to sharonbeesley@gmail.com.

51 comments:

I thought your voice was really lost in your Elizabeth Street articles, and that's what I think most of us enjoy about your blog. You are able to laugh at yourself when crafting doesn't go your way (which most of us can relate to). You admit you aren't happy all the time and that your kids can drive you nuts. I'm happy to see what this blog has in store as far as resurrection and to hear your voice again. Best of luck! Good things are to come!

Your eggs kind of rocked my world. Literally, rock 'n roll eggs! The spikey one and the pollock ones are my favorites. As for your big decision, I'm sure it's best. These kinds of decisions are always so hard to make, but once they've been made and the dust settles, you realize it was clear all along what you actually wanted in your heart. Curious to see if you're going to share the thoughts behind the decision with us, you know we'd love to hear it. But maybe that's asking a bit too much, too personal, too soon? Anyway, congrats. Celebrate. Even if you're conflicted.

I love how honest and funny you are on the blog, but could never get into Elizabeth Street. I also know that working full time with kids is really tough, and so only worth it if you LOVE your job. Looking forward to more blog posts!

Go YOU - it may have been super tough, but I'm sure you've made the right decision. Go forth and breathe life back into this blog which we completely adore, find inspiring, hilarious, and SO much more ;-) The stripey egg is my favourite this season!

Love your blog! Elizabeth Street, not so much. Cause I love those eggs, but I doubt Elizabeth Street would, right? Glad to hear you'll be back here more. And I say that with summer coming, it's a great time to ditch the job and hang with the kids. I'm thinking about doing it too :)

I love your blog! Your blog is funny. I found your work for Elizabeth Street boring and random, but never your blog. They edited the good parts out, was my guess. So I am happy with your decision to quit. I hope you get there too or something else comes up :)

I like the idea behind Elizabeth Street but not the way it's been executed. I do find it funny, reading through the comments, that your eggs are on the site. At least you did something you always wanted to when you started the blog, you were a full time mom and writer, but I think Elizabeth Street wasn't a perfect fit but it was an experience. You know what's best for you and I'm glad you're feeling reenergized! maybe it's a sign of spring lol

Sharon, you're amazing! You're SO funny and the only mom blog I read that I comment on, because you are just so relatable, funny, and genuine. Honestly, you're one of the few bloggers I really root for, because your voice and perspective fills a unique (and much needed!) space.

I second that Jessica! Sharon, you are hilarious. But most of all authentic and genuine. You make reading about NYC and parenthood fun and your sarcasm is much appreciated. Can't wait to see more posts from you!

I just also want to second Jessica's post. Yours is the only blog that I comment on that I don't know the author personally. But, I feel that I personally know you! Congratulations on this next step in your life. You will do great! As always, thanks for the honesty. :)

Sharon-bummer about Elizabeth Street-but you gotta do what's best for you! :) I love your writing and LOVE reading your blog. Hope that you are enjoying this week off with the kiddos. Maybe we'll catch you at playgroup!... :)

Interesting decision, I feel much the way other commenters feel, that your specific voice was lost. Do we really need another craft, recipe, clothing site? (I'm looking at you Babble and Disney baby and Elizabeth Street) My problem with these sites is they feel a little shallow at times. And don't even get me started on those darn slide shows - hate them! I have such little free time that if I want a craft or recipe, I'll go to Pinterest. If I go to a site like Elizabeth Street, I want to see real writing, that makes me feel less alone as a parent. A few personal sites that I think are doing it well are Early Mama and Parenting with Crappy Pictures (who got a book deal!) And of course yours, Sharon. I remember reading older posts on here and sighing in relief that someone else has kids that aren't always rainbows and sunshine and sometimes drive them nuts! I would love to see a return to truth in blogs. We see so many shiny happy lives depicted, which is fun and inspirational, but can sometimes just get people down, ya know? I like to connect on a deeper level.

A shoutout to The Equals Record, for continuing to be one of the least frivolous, most connecting places on the net.

Anyway, tl:dr - I'm sure you will feel it's the right decision with time, and I can't wait to read you again here! Best of luck!

Hope you're doing okay! I'm glad to see you'll be posting more around here. I agree with the other readers, your frankness and honesty is so refreshing. Life isn't perfect and I love that your blog reflects the truth, take it or leave it :)

Big life decisions are never simple, but I'm glad to have you back. Your Amanda Marcum post the other day made me laugh so hard! I don't have kids, but I babysat and nannied for years, so I feel like I can still relate to how she was feeling. I love your honest sense of humor and I'm excited to read more!Random side note-have you ever thought of writing kids' books?

Mazel Tov! I too am so incredibly happy that you will be writing for your blog again. Your voice is a rare one, full of such beauty and truth. Plus you're funny as hell. As a mom to 3 kids, I appreciate more than you know your honesty and humor.

Wow! I was really sad to see this blog being neglected - but I figured that's just what had to happen when you got employed. I Never thought you should be able to keep it up, while working and parenting 3! (And being a good partner - lets never forget that one, right?!)I can barely keep my small family blog up, and I only have 2 kids and and I 'stay home'.

So, whatever your reasons for leaving ES, I'm happy for selfish reasons. I always pick yours - out of a long list! With you, and Cup of Jo, I feel happy. Neither of you leave me feeling lame, like some others do - inadequate and not fancy enough. Neither of you try too hard.

(I'm still looking for my third, preferably SF or at least West Coast...)

Elizabeth St always seemed like an awkward fit for you. Their blog posts are so difficult to relate too -- just like Goop. They just did a post on "Best Work Heels" and all of the picks were >$500 (think Louboutin, Manolos, etc)!! How crazy is that!??? I mean, I can't even wear anything other than my beloved ballet flats to work.

I completely agree - I grew up in NYC and am a stepmom in NYC now, and even knew some of the featured/interviewed moms back when we were kids, and yet I am largely unable to relate to any of the content on Elizabeth St. Oh, this woman recommends this wallet and has these tips for dealing with babies in NYC? Yeah, well, she grew up in a 5-story building of penthouse suites that housed nobody except her family of four and a maid. They kept a shoe bin in the elevator so that the girls could de-shoe on the ride up to "the kids' floor." Funny how that stuff never makes it to print - just "Oh, look, a $2000 diaper bag, this woman swears by it!"

I am not, like, anti-rich people or anything. Just...I'm a stylish mom, not an absurdly wealthy mom. I like looking good, feeling good, and trying new things. And Elizabeth St. is not reaching me. There is room in my life for enjoying the unattainable, but for whatever reason that particular blog is alienating rather than aspirational, for me.

That takes cojones, and you got 'em! ;) I'm sure you'll miss some of the perks (like a paycheck) every once and awhile, but overall I bet this will be such a HUGE sigh of relief for you. I agree with what all the other commenters say - you're hilarious, and I've always admired how you can take maybe a not-so-friendly comment and reply nicely. I know how the other blogs were kissing Elizabeth Street's ass there for awhile, but hopefully this didn't affect any friendships or anything. And, hey, you got a look at the industry!

I quit a job (of 2 years) at the end of December that wasn't a good fit (although many people in my life thought it sounded cool and exciting so it was hard to admit it wasn't, to me at least) and every day now I wake up feeling good about the decision!

You had an opportunity and you went for it! Good for you! You tried your best and in the end it didn't work out for the long term, but I'm sure it was a great learning experience that you will continue to learn from as time passes. If nothing else, you enjoyed a few paychecks! Hopefully no hard feelings on either end. No worries, just onward and upward! Maybe sometimes we have to go somewhere else to realize we are perfect right where we are.We all didn't fully realize how awesome your blog was until we couldn't get our daily fix any more! Ok, maybe we did but now we are extra excited you're back! :) Congrats!!

Take heart, we move on from many things and we are OK. I will continue following your blog because I see so much of my life in yours. Keep on doing what you do; I love it! Just take another look at Wild Nails if you need a pick me up, that always helps me.

a thought -- if you're looking for a new direction (and on your own terms), have you considered pursuing your photography more professionally? i've seen some really phenomenal kid pics from you. 'kid photographer' :)

Count me in the I-didn't-like-you-in-Elizabeth St. wagon as well. I've been away for the past week, so I'm just catching up, but I'm glad to have you back here. ES was not a good fit for you, IMO. You are relatable, they are not. Hope everything works out for you from here on out! (Well, of course it will.)

Glad to have you back! I'm a newish mom blogger with 3 children too and have really enjoyed spending time here on NYC taught me. partly because you are living my life long dream of picking up from SF and moving my family to NYC (i have a major love affair with NYC), but mostly because your voice is so needed in the blog world!